Anyone have a cat that has seizures?

[pixielittle]

I'm writing this for my daughter. Her cat (a Norweigen Forest cat) started having seizures when he grew into adulthood.
There doesn't seem to be any reason for them. No tumor or anything.
He is very nervous since these started. The vet gives him Pheno-Barbitol for the seizures. The probldm is, she can't take him to the vet or anywhere without him having another seizure. He can't even get his yearly shots.

The other night, out of the blue, he had a seizure, Even taking the meds.

Does anyone else out there have this problem and what are they taking for their seizures. She's not sure he's taking what he should take.

Thanks,

[Traci]

First and foremost, have you had your daughter seek a second opinion, preferrably from a feline-only vet, or better yet, a feline specialist? (i.e., a feline vet specialized in internal medicine)

That would be my first and foremost recommendation.

How old is kitty?

Phenobarbitol is a commonly-used medication for seizures in cats. However, it is crucial the vet utilizes whatever tests necessary to get to the source of the problem. (there are many source problems, like kidney, liver problems, shunting, etc)

As for seizuring just before a vet-visit, the day of the exam (or the night before) vet can prescribe valium, to be given orally before a vet visit.....meaning, the vet can prescribe this for the owner, owner picks it up at the vet, gets instruction from the vet how to administer it, and vet and owner determine best time to get cat into vet for exam etc. It might lightly sedate the cat, so this could be a problem depending on the type of exam warranted. Please have your daughter talk to her vet about it. Vets can compound valium for easy administration for the cat.

Is she getting regular bloodwork done each time the phenobarbitol is refilled?

Again, bottom line is to get a second opinion with a qualifed specialist to ensure that every diagnostic has been given consideration so that every possible cause has been investigated fully.

[pixielittle]

Traci,

First, the cat is about 3-4 yrs old, not sure. Her vet has run blood work of all kinds on him in the past, but couldn't find anything. Since he's been taking the meds. she hasn't had blood work done. The vet did not recommend bringing him in to even get his shots since he would have a seizure.
There really is no feline specialist in this town. We do have a vet who might know more about him if she could take him there.
She seems to know a lot more about animal problems than the rest.
She might be able to talk to this vet and find out if she would give her something to calm him down before he came in.

We do have vet specialists about 60 miles away at the university. I suspect she would have to take him there to really get to the problem. They don't do all those tests like MRI's and stuff around here.

Thanks for your reply, you've given us an idea.

[Traci]

Well, if the vet is in fear the cat is going to have a seizure just by getting into the carrier for a drive to the vet for an exam, there's a BIG problem.

How does the vet intend to manage the condition if he is telling the owner not to bring the cat in for exams, blood testing, vaccinations, etc? You cannot and never should ever ever ever keep prescribing phenobarbitol without regular blood work to determine it's safety and efficacy.

This is why it is paramount she get a new vet NOW.

Tell your daughter to get a phone consult with the specialist and/or university (the primary vet may need to refer, make sure it's done!). They can suggest giving prescribed valium prior to any exam/case evaluation, they may even suggest a vet who may come to the home to evaluate the cat if the seizures are that severe.

I hope you and your daughter understand, seizures are never to be taken lightly, nor should they EVER go unmanaged, nor should regular followup bloodwork while on phenobarbitol ever go unchecked.

I don't know what tests were done, and various "bloodwork" may not have been enough. Were immunological blood profiles ever done? These check for various immunolical, viral, fungal, tick or other vector disease etc. Ultrasound, MRI or CT can also be helpful but my guess is that a specialist will best be able to pinpoint the problem and be able to help manage the cat's condition without delaying care due to the cat developing a seizure for anything that occurs. The current vet isn't doing enough!! My advice is to get all kitty's records from the current vet, faxed to the specialist/university for review, and take it from there, but do not wait on this any longer. Seizure activity is serious in that, even petite seizures or cluster seizures can at any time develop into full-blown grand mal seizures which can debilitate severely, cause coma and even death. Your daughter's kitty and your daughter deserve better in veterinary care and monitoring.

Again, the current vet knows better, he should have been following up with bloodwork while kitty is on phenobarbitol! Better yet, he should have consulted, or referred you to a specialist in the very beginning. It sounds like the vet has put your daughter and her cat in a very very limited position and that's not a vet I would want on my cat's medical management.